Visual content is bombarding our lives, with the accessibility of online streaming sites, digital media. Films and online content have a great ability to affect your mindset and keep you hooked until the end and engaged completely in the fictional plot. While people try and contain their emotions in real life, it becomes difficult to not shed a few tears while watching a film or television series that one is wholeheartedly invested in and there is a plot twist that turns out to be sad.
During movies, we undertake suspension of disbelief and immerse ourselves in the story to an extent that we become the character ourselves. So when they exhibit certain emotions, we tend to feel them as well. While many call this crying episode a weak moment, it turns out, this behaviour might be very healthy and nothing to worry about, according to scientists and psychologists. It is like empathizing with someone who in reality doesn’t exist.
As per research, getting attached to characters is not something to be alarmed about, rather it helps you grow and in touch with your feelings. It is referred to as a one-directional relationship wherein we develop a relationship with a fictional character as our mind doesn’t differentiate between fiction and reality.
Studies conducted in the University of Oklahoma found out that over a prolonged time, these one-sided relationships or friendship with TV or movie characters can actually boost morale, improve self-confidence as well as reduce loneliness in many. Another aspect is that the following shows regularly and empathizing will boost emotional quotient, which helps you judge people better and read their feelings. But it can also be quite taxing alone, so the best way is to watch films in a good company or with friends who will help one relax. And it can overall be an enjoyable experience rather than causing distress.